MK True Crime Podcast (MK Media)

Episode: Mystery of Missing CA Baby Deepens, Leaked Kohberger Jail Video, Rumored New England Serial Killer
Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Dave Aronberg
Contributors: Mark Iglers, Phil Holloway

Episode Overview

In this episode, the hosts dive into several high-profile, ongoing true crime stories:

• The mysterious disappearance of baby Emanuel Harrow in California, with growing suspicion on his parents.
• Jury selection in the closely-watched Donna Adelson trial for the murder of her son-in-law, Dan Markel.
• New details and leaked jail footage in the Bryan Kohberger case.
• Updates on the so-called "Devil’s Den Killer" and rumors swirling about a potential New England serial killer.
• A rapid-fire, closing "rant" section where each host reflects on justice, community, and current injustices.

The tone is conversational but deeply analytical, blending legal insight with personal perspective and some dark humor.

Segment 1: Missing Baby Emanuel Harrow (CA)

[00:34–10:25]

Key Points & Timeline

• Background: Seven-month-old Emanuel Harrow is missing in California. His parents initially pleaded for his return, then stopped cooperating with police and retained separate attorneys.
• Mother’s Account:
  • She claims she was attacked in a parking lot, lost consciousness ("I saw white and a hearing sound." [01:57]), and couldn’t find her baby afterwards.
  • "I got him out of the car seat and I laid him down... somebody said 'hola.' And that's all I remember..." – Emanuel’s Mother [01:57]
• Law Enforcement Skepticism:
  • Stories from the parents don’t add up. The mother’s bruise was present before the alleged attack (unverified social media sources).
  • The father has a prior aggravated battery conviction for harming a child—fracturing a skull—and is facing a firearm-related probation violation.
• Legal Analysis:
  • Mark Iglers: "With my criminal defense hat, we cannot be sure. But as a prosecutor—these performances look horrible." [02:44]
  • Phil Holloway: "I think we know how this movie ends." [04:04] Expresses deep suspicion and expects imminent arrests, possibly both parents.
  • Dave Aronberg: "You are focusing on them. They are the targets. That shows to me consciousness of guilt." [06:31]
• Strategy Discussion:
  • The hosts debate whether law enforcement should try to persuade the mother to cooperate for leniency if she turns on the father.
  • Concerns over the possibility she’s a victim of abuse herself.

Notable Quotes

• Phil Holloway: "My key question... When is the last time anybody other than these people... saw this child?" [05:52]
• Mark Iglers: "If I gave you both the opportunity to invest your entire financial future into the fact that they're both guilty, I don't think you'd do it. So let's hold off." [09:50]

Segment 2: The Donna Adelson / Dan Markel Murder Trial

[10:25–23:20]

Key Points & Timeline

• Background:
  • Dan Markel was a law professor, killed in a murder-for-hire plot during a bitter custody battle. Attention now turns to his ex-mother-in-law, Donna Adelson.
  • Jury selection is underway. Donna allegedly planned the murder with her son, Charlie Adelson, after being furious at court-ordered restrictions.
• Evidence & Defense:
  • Donna tried fleeing to Vietnam (no extradition) after learning authorities were closing in. The defense claims this was only temporary.
  • Recorded jail calls: Donna admits contemplating suicide and talks openly about fleeing to countries without extradition treaties.
  • Undercover officers posed as extortionists, and Donna’s responses suggested consciousness of guilt.
• Jury & Legal Tactics:
  • Concerns about finding an impartial jury due to massive media coverage.
  • Discussion on whether Donna might "throw her daughter Wendy under the bus."
  • Debate over the judge’s ruling on whether Wendy (ex-wife) could be compelled to testify for the defense.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Aronberg: "How about buying a one way ticket to Vietnam, a country with no extradition." [15:08]
• Mark Iglers: "If you had no idea what this was, you would just say, huh?... She didn't either. She called the alleged extorter and started to talk to him..." [16:40]
• Phil Holloway: "She doesn't call 911... That's what a normal, innocent person does." [17:30]
• On the defense: "If she were to take the stand and admit to being an accessory after the fact, and the jury believes that, she could be acquitted of all the charges in that indictment." [15:08]
• Wendy as next target: "I think the prosecution is going for Wendy next... I wouldn't be surprised to see her as the next defendant." [20:29]

Segment 3: Bryan Kohberger Case — Jail Video and Motive

[24:59–34:41]

Key Points & Timeline

• Updates:
  • Jail footage allegedly shows Kohberger obsessively washing his hands (OCD behavior), leaked against jail protocols.
  • Web searches include car shopping, serial killer research; allegedly said victim’s name ("Kaylee") during commission of the crime.
  • Interview with his former professor, Dr. Ramsland, expressing horror at being associated with him.
• Discussion of Leaked Video:
  • The hosts question the ethics and legality of the footage leak, but acknowledge public curiosity.
  • Phil Holloway: Draws parallel to Jeffrey Epstein photo leaks and issues of corrections officer misconduct.
• Motives & Profile:
  • General agreement that the motive was rooted in his obsession with serial killings and personal inadequacies.
  • Debate over the public’s right to know more grisly details versus the need to protect victims’ privacy.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Aronberg: "He seemed like he got off easy. That guy should have gotten the death penalty... if this guy doesn't deserve capital punishment, then who does?" [27:16]
• Professor Ramsland: "I'm horrified that I had a student capable of such violence. I hate that I am in any way associated with it." [28:04]
• Mark Iglers: "The only thing [Kohberger] can say to... the truth is, I thought that it would be enjoyable to slaughter innocent people. That's just how my brain works." [28:59]
• Phil Holloway: "His motive is that he has this fantasy of becoming... one of the great serial killers of all time." [29:48]

Segment 4: The Devil’s Den Killer — More Victims?

[34:41–38:38]

Key Points & Timeline

• Background:
  • The so-called "Devil’s Den Killer" (Vermont area) pleaded not guilty, but is a suspect in multiple attacks and possibly connected to other murders nationwide.
  • Discussion of law enforcement methods for cross-checking cold cases, especially with similar MOs (murders on hiking paths).
• Legal Road Ahead:
  • Defense will likely delay; prosecutors may offer to waive death penalty for life in prison in exchange for a plea.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Aronberg: "His haircut is the least of his problems right now." [35:12]
• Mark Iglers: "Once all the evidence stays in and the government can prove... they will plead for a term of years that is not a life sentence. The prosecutors will say no, and then ultimately say we'll remove death in favor of life. And likely that's what will happen." [37:56]

Segment 5: Rumored New England Serial Killer

[40:24–45:32]

Key Points & Timeline

• Rumor: 13 bodies have recently been found across New England. Internet rumors swirl about a possible serial killer.
• Skepticism vs Concern:
  • Mark Iglers: Technology and DNA make the “serial killer” model less likely today. Points out multiple dots on a map may be misleading.
  • Phil Holloway: The rapid, compressed timeline (many in just weeks) is “compelling,” but some deaths may not be linked or even be homicides.
• Consensus:
  • It’s possible, but unlikely, that all 13 cases are related. Law enforcement must first confirm whether each is a homicide.

Notable Quotes

• Phil Holloway: "Each one of these has to be painstakingly researched and investigated... similarities appear... majority are women. There could very well be a connection..." [43:11]
• Dave Aronberg: "It is hard to become a serial killer these days... cell phones everywhere, cameras everywhere. I'm surprised if this is serial killer that you have 13 bodies so far and they'd all be related." [44:13]

Segment 6: Closing Arguments / “Rants”

[45:43–48:47]

Mark Iglers (Positive Rant)

• Advocates for listeners to volunteer as mentors (Big Brothers/Big Sisters), citing his own experience. [45:43]

Phil Holloway (Serious Rant)

• Criticizes a Georgia bail decision where a daycare worker, accused of brutalizing a toddler, was quickly released on bond: "I don't understand how... someone who could probably injure that child... could, could be eligible for any kind of bond whatsoever." [46:31]

Dave Aronberg (Personal Rant)

• Shares emotional thoughts on the Markel murder:
  • How Dan Markel, a model father, was murdered in a plot allegedly designed to move his children away and erase his name.
  • Notes that all conspirators have either been convicted or are on trial, and believes the last defendant (Donna Adelson) will not escape justice. [48:06]
  • "And Donna, the bell tolls for thee. And if you're found guilty, it's not gonna be the end. It's going to Wendy. That's my belief." [48:06]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Phil Holloway on the CA case: "My key question... when has this child really been missing? Because I don't believe a word that's coming out of the mouths of those parents." [05:52]
• Dave Aronberg on Donna Adelson: "How about buying a one way ticket to Vietnam, a country with no extradition." [15:08]
• Mark Iglers on leaked jail video: "Let's just say it's anyone else... now all of a sudden there's footage of them in some jail cell. I'm not okay with this. And somebody needs to be held accountable." [26:49]
• Professor Ramsland on Kohberger: "I'm horrified that I had a student capable of such violence. I hate that I am in any way associated with it." [28:04]
• Dave Aronberg on serial killers: "It is hard to become a serial killer these days... I'm surprised if this is serial killer that you have 13 bodies so far and they'd all be related and we still don't have any concrete information." [44:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:34] — Show opens; overview of Emanuel Harrow disappearance
• [01:57] — Mother's statement about disappearance
• [02:44] — Defense and prosecution views on the parents
• [10:25] — Intro to Donna Adelson trial segment
• [15:08] — Discussion about Donna's flight to Vietnam
• [16:40] — Undercover sting with Donna Adelson
• [24:59] — Bryan Kohberger jail video and behavioral details
• [28:04] — Prof. Ramsland on Kohberger's background
• [34:41] — Devil's Den Killer: updates and speculation
• [40:24] — Rumors and facts regarding possible New England serial killer
• [45:43] — Closing/"rants" segment

Summary

This was a fast-paced, in-depth episode covering multiple true crime cases with legal insight, personal anecdotes, and speculation grounded by seasoned experience. The hosts balance skepticism and empathy, and challenge each other's assumptions with vigor: from missing children to high-profile murder-for-hire plots, chilling insights into criminal minds, and the persistent mythos of the serial killer. The episode is especially useful for listeners seeking critical context, legal nuance, and memorable soundbites across some of the most disturbing stories in the current news cycle.